Design of Laves phase-reinforced compositionally complex alloy

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Metallurgy
• Mechanical Engineering

Background:

• Topologically close-packed (TCP) phases, like Laves phases, are typically detrimental to superalloy mechanical properties.
• Compositionally complex alloys (CCAs) offer potential for novel microstructural engineering.

Purpose of the Study:

• To propose and validate a design strategy for leveraging Laves phases in wrought CCAs.
• To develop a new Laves phase-reinforced CCA with improved high-temperature performance.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of Laves phase effects in steels.
• Development of a design strategy for Laves phase optimization in CCAs.
• Experimental and theoretical investigation of a newly designed Laves phase-reinforced CCA.

Main Results:

• A novel Laves phase-reinforced CCA was successfully designed and produced.
• The new CCA exhibits fine-grained microstructures and lower density.
• Demonstrated superior elevated-temperature mechanical strength while maintaining workability.

Conclusions:

• Optimized Laves phase fractions and sizes can significantly enhance CCA properties.
• The developed CCA shows promise compared to existing wrought alloys and Ni-based superalloys.
• This strategy opens new avenues for high-temperature alloy design.